Oncology

The last few years have brought some interesting and novel discoveries with regard to the diagnosis and therapy of lymphoma in pets.

Canine hemangiosarcoma (HSA), a malignant tumor of blood vessel endothelial cells, is a relatively common malignancy in dogs compared with other species. In fact, owing to its rareness in humans, we do not have abundant human literature from which to extrapolate when making treatment decisions. Certain breeds (e.g. German shepherds, golden retrievers) appear to be at increased risk for the development of HSA, suggesting a possible genetic predisposition.

Osteosarcoma (OSA) represents the most common bony tumor of dogs and cats. Although information regarding etiopathogenesis is lacking, OSA of the long bones (appendicular OSA) is far more common in large and giant breed dogs than in smaller dogs. Rare causes of OSA include those associated with metallic implants, those formed after radiation therapy, and some feline vaccine-associated sarcomas.

Often, the primary clinician may be the veterinarian making a diagnosis of cancer in a pet and performing the initial client education regarding their pet's disease. Critically important, life-or death decisions regarding euthanasia, treatment, choice to pursue referral, etc. may be made based on information that the owner gets from their primary veterinarian.

Our knowledge of the brain on the neurochemical, genetic and molecular level is increasing steadily each year. Despite this, little is definitively known about the neurochemical correlates of various disease processes. Much of our knowledge concerning the etiology of mental illness comes from response to pharmacological intervention.

Why it is difficult to make a definitive diagnosis.

Can patients with this disease be treated successfully with surgery?

Langhorne, Pa. -- A new online resource, written entirely by board-certified veterinary oncologists, now is available to pet owners.

When and how to perform this procedure.

What you need to know about these indolent tumors.

A Q&A with small-animal oncologist specialist Dr. Stephen Withrow.

The arsenal of treatments available for patients with deep-seated glial tumors continues to grow.

Equine genital cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer in horses, may be triggered by a newly identified papillomavirus, known as EcPV-2.

A treatment tip for dogs.

The MAF is beginning a long-term study to identify the risk factors for the development of cancer and other diseases in dogs.

Orlando -- The Morris Animal Foundation will launch a 13-year longitudinal veterinary study this year to examine cancer in Golden Retrievers.

Important diagnostic and staging pointers.

Short Hills, N.J. -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted conditional approval to AB Science for a new treatment for canine mast cell tumors.

A novel form of pain relief for canine osteosarcoma.

Investigators from the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine recently published their findings evaluating tumor response and overall survival rate and time for dogs with nonresectable MCTs treated with masitinib.

Veterinary oncologist Dr. Kim Selting provides her advice on achieving the best outcomes in these cases.

Columbia, Mo. -- Researchers at the University of Missouri (MU) College of Veterinary Medicine have started a clinical trial on a human oncology drug which may prove useful in the battle against canine cancer. The drug Attaxol?, which is made by CritiTech in Lawrence, Kan., could be ideal for use in dogs with naturally occurring cancer, says Dr. Kim Seltin, assistant professor of oncology at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine.

Some recommendations regarding vaccination and reducing the risk of vaccine site-associated sarcoma.

Wentzville, Mo. - A new cancer care center, operated by the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, will open this spring and offer pet owners more options for specialty care.

Do we all interpret cytology findings the same way?

The key to this alternative form of cancer therapy.

Fort Collins, Colo. -- Colorado State University?s Animal Cancer Center has created a new chair in comparative oncology, thanks to a $3 million gift from the Shipley Foundation.

Advice for formulating your surgical plan.

Mast cell tumors are the most commonly encountered malignant skin tumor in the dog. They account for 16-21% of all cutaneous tumors and boxers, Boston terriers, Labrador retrievers, beagles and schnauzers are documented to be at increased risk. Alterations in the c-kit receptor (receptor for growth factor SCF) are noted in many high grade tumors. Histologic grade is highly predictive of behavior.

Biopsy and histopathology remains the gold standard diagnostic test for many conditions and for nearly all tumors and cancers. When performing this test, it is important to know what answers to look for, in order to obtain as much critical information as possible that may eventually impact the prognosis and the treatment planning.